Grille shutter attaching structure of automotive vehicle

ABSTRACT

A grille shutter unit which is provided with plural shutters extending in a vehicle width direction is attached to a frame-shaped shroud, a center stay is provided to extend in a vertical direction and connect a central portion, in a width direction, of a shroud upper and a central portion, in the width direction, of a shroud lower, the grille shutter unit is attached to a back-face side of the shroud, and an actuator (driving actuator) for opening/closing the shutters is arranged at a back-face side of the center stay.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a grille shutter attaching structure ofan automotive vehicle in which a grille shutter unit provided withplural shutters extending in a vehicle width direction is attached to aframe-shaped shroud.

As exemplified in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2014-198509,it is known that the grille shutter attaching structure of theautomotive vehicle comprises a driving actuator for opening/closing theshutters which is arranged to control introduction of air to a radiatoraccording to a driving state of the vehicle.

An opening/closing driving means (36) including the actuator disclosedin the above-described patent document is provided at one (43) of sidewall portions (43, 44) which are arranged on both sides of a unit frame(31) of a grille shutter unit (30) (see FIGS. 9 and 11 in theabove-described patent document).

In the above-described structure comprising the opening/closing drivingmeans (36) being provided at the side wall portion (43) of the grilleshutter unit (30), however, since the opening/closing driving means (36)is attached to an attaching flange (46) which protrudes outward, in avehicle width direction, beyond the side wall portion (43) (see the samefigures in the above-described patent document), there is a concern thatthe opening/closing driving means (36) protruding outward beyond theside wall portion (43) may interfere with an auxiliary parts, such as asensor or an air induction member, which exists around the side wallportion (43). Moreover, in a case where the opening/closing drivingmeans (36) is arranged on an inward side, in the vehicle widthdirection, of the side wall portion (43), there is a concern that theopening/closing driving means (36) may partially close an opening of ashroud member (20), so that an opening area may be improperly small.Thus, there is room for improvement because the structure comprising theopening/closing driving means (36) tends to receive restrictions inlayout.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a grilleshutter attaching structure of an automotive vehicle which can securethe layout performance even in the structure comprising the actuator foropening/closing the shutters.

The present invention is a grille shutter attaching structure of anautomotive vehicle, comprising a frame-shaped shroud, a grille shutterunit provided with plural shutters extending in a vehicle widthdirection, and a center stay provided to extend in a vertical directionand connect a central portion, in a width direction, of a shroud upperof the shroud and a central portion, in the width direction, of a shroudlower of the shroud, wherein the grille shutter unit is attached to aback-face side of the shroud, and a driving actuator for opening/closingthe shutters is arranged at a back-face side of the center stay of thegrille shutter unit.

According to the present invention, the actuator can be arranged byutilizing a dead space which is created at the back-face side of thecenter stay, thereby improving the layout performance.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the center stay is configuredsuch that a lower part thereof is wider than an upper part thereof, andthe driving actuator is arranged at a back-face side of the lower partof the center stay.

According to this embodiment, the position of a gravity center of thegrille shutter unit comprising the actuator can be properly lowered,improving the rigidity of a connection portion of the central portion,in the width direction, of the shroud lower and the center stay.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a center frame which isprovided at the grille shutter unit is attached to the back-face side ofthe center stay along the center stay, an actuator arrangement part, inthe vertical direction, of the center frame where the driving actuatoris arranged is configured to be wider than the other part of the centerframe, and an actuator housing portion where the driving actuator ishoused is formed at the actuator arrangement part.

According to this embodiment, since the actuator arrangement part, inthe vertical direction, of the center frame is configured to be wideaccording to the width of the center stay, the actuator housing portionwhere the driving actuator is housed can be properly formed at theactuator arrangement part.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a driving link whichtransmits a driving force of the driving actuator to the shutters isarranged along the center frame.

According to this embodiment, since the driving link is arranged at thecenter, in the vehicle width direction, of the grille shutter unit(because of so-called center arrangement), the shutters can be drivensmoothly by the driving link.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the grille shutter unitis provided with right-and-left split side units which are provided onright-and-left both sides of the center frame, the driving linkcomprises right-and-left driving links which are provided at respectiveend portions of the right-and-left split side units which are positionedon a center-frame side in the vehicle width direction, and theright-and-left driving links are interconnected on a back-face side ofthe center frame.

According to this embodiment, the rigidity of the driving link can beimproved, so that the shutter opening/closing driving can be smoothwithout causing asynchronous opening/closing between the both-sideshutters which are arranged on the right-and-left sides of the centerframe.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a latch housing portionwhere a latch of a bonnet (an engine hood) is housed is provided at thecentral portion, in the width direction, of the shroud upper such thatthe latch housing portion protrudes toward an opening portion which isformed at an inside, in an elevational view, of the frame-shaped shroud,right-and-left indirect swing shutters which are not driven directly bythe driving link are provided on right-and-left both sides of the latchhousing portion, and a second driving link which is different from thedriving link is provided on an outward side, in the vehicle widthdirection, of the indirect swing shutters so as to drive the indirectswing shutters

According to this embodiment, even in the structure where the indirectswing shutters which are not driven directly by the driving link arearranged on the right-and-left both sides of the latch housing portionin accordance with forming the latch housing portion, the indirect swingshutters can be smoothly driven by the second driving link.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the center frame isattached such that the center frame connects the central portion, in thewidth direction, of the shroud upper and the central portion, in thewidth direction, of the shroud lower, being configured to be integratedwith the center stay.

According to this embodiment, the center stay can secure the rigidity,in the vertical direction, of the shroud together with the center frame.Further, since a lower part of the center frame which houses theactuator as a weight object is configured to be wide similarly to thecenter stay, the high rigidity can be secured, and since an upper partof the center frame is integrated with the center stay, its width can bemade as narrow as possible, so that the sufficiently large openingportion can be secured.

Other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description which refers to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a grille shutter attaching structure ofan embodiment of the present invention, when viewed from a forward side.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the grille shutter attaching structure of thepresent embodiment in a state where a radiator and a condenser aredetached.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a grille shutter unit of the presentembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an upper portion and a centralportion, in a vertical direction, of a right side of a shroud of thepresent embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a central portion, in a vehicle widthdirection, of the grille shutter unit of the present embodiment, whenviewed from the forward side.

FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of a major part of a first center frame andits surrounding portion of FIG. 2, and FIG. 6B is an enlargedperspective view showing the major part, when viewed from an arrow A inFIG. 6A and a paper front side.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a major part, taken along line E-E ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 12A is a sectional view of a major part, taken along line F-F ofFIG. 3, and FIG. 12B is a sectional view of the major part, taken alongline G-G of FIG. 3.

FIG. 13A is a sectional view of a major part, taken along line H-H ofFIG. 2, in a state where shutters are open, and FIG. 13B is a sectionalview of the major part, taken along line H-H of FIG. 2, in a state wherethe shutters are closed.

FIG. 14A is a sectional view of a major part, taken along line I-I ofFIG. 2, in a state where the shutters are open, and FIG. 14B is asectional view of the major part, taken along line I-I of FIG. 2, in astate where the shutters are closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be describedspecifically referring to the drawings. In the figures, an arrow F showsa forward side of a vehicle, an arrow OUT shows an outward side, in avehicle width direction, of the vehicle (vehicle rightward side), anarrow IN shows an inward side, in the vehicle width direction, of thevehicle (vehicle leftward side), and an arrow U shows an upward side ofthe vehicle.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a grille shutter attaching structure 1 of anautomotive vehicle of the present embodiment comprises a rectangularframe-shaped shroud 2 and a grille shutter unit 3 which is fixed to theshroud 2. Herein, since the shroud 2 and the grille shutter unit 3 ofthe present embodiment are respectively configured to be substantiallysymmetrical, a right-side part of the grille shutter attaching structure1 will be described.

The shroud 2 is configured in a rectangular frame shape to hold aradiator 4 and a condenser 45 as heat exchangers (see FIGS. 8-11) andintroduce traveling air flowing down from the vehicle forward sidetoward the radiator 4.

As shown in FIGS. 4-9, in particular FIGS. 4 and 7, a pair of bumperbeam attaching brackets 6 (hereafter, referred to as the “brackets 6”)are attached to right-and-left both sides of the shroud 2, and theshroud 2 is connected to a bumper beam 7 via the brackets 6.Illustration of the brackets 6 and the bumper beam 7 is omitted in FIG.1, and illustration of the bumper beam 7 is omitted in FIG. 4.

The bumper beam 7 comprises a base plate 7 a which has a hat-shapedcross section and a closing plate 7 b which is of a plate shape as shownin FIGS. 7-10, and extends in the vehicle width direction. The bumperbeam 7 is attached to front ends of a pair of front side frames whichextend in a longitudinal direction on right-and-left both sides of anengine room via attaching plates and crash cans, which are notillustrated. The shroud 2 is arranged in a roughly vertical position ata location which is positioned behind the bumper beam 7 and between apair of right-and-left crash cans (not illustrated).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shroud 2 comprises a shroud upper 21which extends in the vehicle width direction and forms an upper side ofits rectangular frame shape, a shroud lower 22 which forms a lower sideof its rectangular frame shape, a pair of right-and-left shroud sides23, 23 which form right-and-left sides of its rectangular frame shapeand connect right-and-left both ends of the shroud upper 21 and theshroud lower 22 in the vertical direction, and has a rectangular openingportion 8 (8 a, 8 b, 8 c) which penetrates in the longitudinal directionat an inside, in an elevational view, thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, a center stay 24 which is provided to extendin the vertical direction and connect a forward side of a centralportion, in a width direction, of the shroud upper 21 (hereafter,referred to as a “upper-side width-directional center 21M of the shroud2”) and a forward side of a central portion, in the width direction, ofthe shroud lower 22 (hereafter, referred to as a “lower-sidewidth-directional center 22M of the shroud 2”) is formed integrally atthe shroud 2.

Further, cross stays 25 a, 25 b (an upper-side cross stay 25 a and alower-side cross stay 25 b) which extend in the vehicle width directionand connect respective forward sides of upper-and-lower portions of thepair of right-and-left shroud sides 23, 23 are formed integrally at theshroud 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the opening portion 8 is partitioned, by thecenter stay 24 and the cross stays 25 a, 25 b, into six parts.Specifically, the opening portion 8 is partitioned into right-and-leftupper-level opening portions 8 a, 8 a at a position located above theupper-side cross stay 25 a, partitioned into right-and-left middle-levelopening portions 8 b, 8 b at a position located between the upper-sidecross stay 25 a and the lower-side cross stay 25 b, and partitioned intoright-and-left lower-level opening portions 8 c, 8 c at a positionlocated below the lower-side cross stay 25 b.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, an outward edge 8 bo, in the vehicle widthdirection, of the middle-level opening portion 8 b is positioned on aninward side, in the vehicle width direction, of respective outward edges8 ao, 8 co, in the vehicle width direction, of the upper-level openingportion 8 a and the lower-level opening portion 8 c. Accordingly, a wideportion 29 which protrudes toward the middle-level opening portion 8 bis formed at a portion, in the vertical direction, of the shroud side 23which is located on the inward side, in the vehicle width direction, ofan attachment position 26 (a bracket attaching-face portion 26, whichwill be described later) of the bracket 6 (see FIGS. 1 and 4).

As shown in FIG. 1, the center stay 24 is configured such that its lowerpart is wider than its upper part. Specifically, a portion of the centerstay 24 which corresponds to the lower-level opening portion 8 c in thevertical direction is wider than respective portions of the center stay24 which correspond to the middle-level opening portion 8 b and theupper-level opening portion 8 a in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 7, the bracket attaching-face portion 26 isformed at a front face of a central portion, in the vertical direction,of the shroud side 23, where a rear face portion 6 r of the bracket 6(see FIGS. 4 and 7) is fastened.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, insertion holes 26 a for bolts B1 tobe inserted therethrough are formed at upper and lower portions of thebracket attaching-face portion 26, and penetration (through) holes 6 aare formed at the rear face portion 6 r of the bracket 6 at respectivepositions which correspond to the insertion holes 26 a. Collar nuts Nare previously inserted into the upper-and-lower insertion holes 26 a,26 a. Fastening portions 26 c are constituted by inserting the bolts B1into the penetration holes 6 a and the collar nuts N inserted into theinsertion holes 26 a from the vehicle forward side, whereby the bracket6 is fixedly fastened to the bracket attaching-face portion 26.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a front face of the shroud 2 is configuredsuch that respective peripheral edges 27 a, 27 c of the upper-levelopening portion 8 a and the lower-level opening portion 8 c protrudeforward relative to a peripheral edge 27 b of the middle-level openingportion 8 b.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 8-10, a housing recess portion 28 for housing arear portion of the bumper beam 7 is formed at a central portion, in thevertical direction, of the front face of the shroud 2 which is locatedon the inward side, in the vehicle width direction, of the pair ofright-and-left bracket attaching-face portions 26, 26. The housingrecess portion 28 of the present embodiment comprises a recess-portionupper wall 28 a which slants such that its front side is positioned at ahigher level than its rear side, a recess-portion lower wall 28 b whichslants such that its front side is positioned at a lower level than itsrear side, and a recess-portion rear wall 28 c which vertically connectsrespective rear ends of these walls 28 a, 28 b, whereby the housingrecess portion 28 is configured in a recess shape such that its forwardside opens. The recess-portion upper wall 28 a is formed at theupper-side cross stay 25 a, the recess-portion lower wall 28 b is formedat the lower-side cross stay 25 b, and the middle-level opening portion8 b is formed at the recess-portion rear wall 28 c.

Herein, as shown in FIG. 11, a reservoir tank 41 is formed integrallywith an outward portion, in the vehicle width direction, of the radiator4, and a rod-shaped protrusion portion 42 which protrudes outward fromthe reservoir tank 41 is provided. The protrusion portion 42 isconfigured to have a square-shaped cross section (see FIG. 7).

As shown in FIG. 11, a support piece 43 for supporting the condenser 45is integrally formed with a front portion of the reservoir tank 41 ofthe radiator 4. A reservoir tank 46 is integrally formed with at theoutward side, in the vehicle width direction, of the condenser 45 aswell, and an outward side, in the vehicle width direction, of thereservoir tank 46 and the above-described support piece 43 are connectedby a bracket 44.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, the radiator 4 is supported by mount devices5, 5 which are arranged at positions near upper ends of the pair ofright-and-left shroud sides 23, 23. The mount devices 5, 5 supportright-and-left protrusion portions 42, and each mount device 5 comprisesa mount rubber 51 which is a resilient member, such as a rubber, and asupport bracket 52 which holds the mount rubber 51 and attaches thismount rubber 51 to the shroud side 23. A hole portion 52 a, which has asquare-shaped cross section and into which the protrusion portion 42 isfitted, is formed at a central portion of the mount rubber 51.

As shown in FIG. 11, the support bracket 52 comprises a tubal-shapedhold portion 53 which holds the protrusion portion 42 via the mountrubber 51 and an attaching piece 55 which extends outward from a rearportion of the hold portion 53 and is attached, from the rearward side,to a rear-end flange portion 54 which extends from a rear end of theshroud side 23 to an outward end, in the vehicle width direction, of theshroud side 23 by fastening means of a bolt B2 and others, which areformed integrally.

In the mount devices 5 of the right-and-left shroud sides 23, theradiator 4 and the condenser 45 are supported at right-and-left bothsides of the shroud 2 via the two mount devices 5 by the right-and-leftprotrusion potions 42 being holed.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, a boxy-shaped portion 10 which protrudes ina boxy shape (squarely-cylindrical shape) from the front face of theshroud side 23 is integrally formed with a portion of the shroud side 23which corresponds to the mount device 5 in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 11, the boxy-shaped portion 10 is formed inthe squarely-cylindrical shape by an upper wall portion 11, a lowerportion 12, and both side wall portions 13 o, 13 i, which are furtherintegrally formed with a front wall portion 14 which covers a front endof an inside space of the upper wall portion 11, the lower wall portion12, and the side wall portions 13 o, 13 i. At the front wall portion 14is provided an attachment hole 14 a for attaching a protector of anairbag sensor, not illustrated (see FIGS. 4 and 11).

As shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 11, the upper wall portion 11 and theoutward-side side wall portion 13 o protrude rearward beyond the bracketattaching-face portion 26 (see FIG. 4) of the shroud side 23, and a rib15 (see FIG. 7) which protrudes rearward beyond the bracketattaching-face portion 26 is integrally formed at a position locatedslightly below a rear end of the lower wall portion 12.

Respective protrusion portions 11 a, 13 oa of the upper wall portion 11and the outward-side side wall portion 13 c and the rib 15 areconfigured as a base portion of the above-described boxy-shaped portion10 (see FIGS. 4, 7 and 11).

The tubal-shaped hold portion 53 of the support bracket 52 is providedto be fit into a space of the base portion of the boxy-shaped portion 10(see FIG. 7), whereby the boxy-shaped portion 10 is also configured as areinforcing portion to reinforce the support rigidity of the radiator 4and the condenser 45 by the mount device 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, the shroud 2 includes a shroud upper member 17 whichis attached to an upper face of the shroud upper 21 and the shroud sidemembers 18, 18 which are provided at right-and-left both sides of theshroud upper member 17. In FIG. 4, illustration of the shroud uppermember 17 and the shroud side member 18 is omitted.

The shroud upper member 17 is connected to front end portions of apronmembers, not illustrated, via the shroud side members 18, 18 at its bothsides. The rectangular-frame shaped body portion (the shroud upper 21,the shroud lower 22, and the both-side shroud sides 23, 23) is made of ahard plastic material, whereas the shroud upper member 17 and the shroudside members 18, 18 are made of a steel plate.

A pedestal (seat) portion 18 a where a stopper rubber, not illustrated,which is a shock absorbing member to absorb closing shock (closingimpact) of a bonnet (engine hood), is placed is provided at an inwardside of the upper face of each of the shroud side members 18, 18,specifically at a portion of the shroud side member 18 which correspondsto the shroud side 23 in the vehicle width direction (see FIG. 1).

Further, at a central portion, in the vehicle width direction, of theshroud upper member 17 is formed a penetration hole 17 a through which astriker (not illustrated) provided at the bonnet passes.

As shown in FIG. 1, a downward extension portion 21 a is integrallyformed at a front side of a central portion, in the vehicle widthdirection, of the shroud upper 21 which is positioned below thepenetration hole 17 a of the shroud upper member 17 such that thedownward extension portion 21 a extends downward from a lower face ofthe shroud upper 21 and protrudes toward the right-and-left both-sideupper-level opening portions 8 a, 8 a.

A latch housing portion 9 (pocket portion) which houses a latch, notillustrated, is provided at the front side of the central portion, inthe vehicle width direction, of the shroud upper 21 including theabove-described downward extension portion 21 a. As shown in FIGS. 1 and8, this latch housing portion 9 comprises a lower wall portion 9 a,right-and-left both-side side wall portions 9 b, 9 b, and a rear wallportion 9 c such that the latch housing portion 9 is configured in arecess shape (pocket shape) which opens forward and upward.

Thereby, the bonnet is configured to engage with a vehicle body when thestriker provided at the bonnet engages with the latch housed in thelatch housing portion 9, passing through the penetration hole 17 a, whenthe bonnet is closed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, an upper end of the center stay 24 isintegrally connected to a central portion, in the vehicle widthdirection, of the lower wall portion 9 a of the latch housing portion 9,and the latch housing portion 9 is configured to be wider than thecenter stay 24 (at least an upper portion of the center stay 24) (seeFIG. 1).

Next, the grille shutter unit 3 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1,2, 8-11, the grille shutter unit 3 of the present embodiment is attachedto the shroud 2 such that it does not protrude beyond the shroud 2 inthe elevational view from its back-face side and a forward side of theradiator 4 and the condenser 45.

As shown in FIG. 3, the grille shutter unit 3 which comprises plural(six, in the present embodiment) split units 3 a-3 c, i.e., upper-levelunits 3 a, 3 a, middle-level units 3 b, 3 b and lower-level units 3 c, 3c, is configured to be substantially symmetrical.

The grille shutter unit 3 comprises plural shutters 30 which extend inthe vehicle width direction, an actuator (driving actuator) 31 (seeFIGS. 3 and 8) which drives opening/closing (swinging) of the shutters30, and a swing link 70 (71, 74) (see FIG. 2) which transmits a drivingforce of the actuator 31 to the shutters 30, and a frame 60 (61 a, 61 b,61 c, 63, 64) which is attached on the side of the shroud 2 and holdsthe shutters 30 and the swing link 70. The shutters 30, the swing link70, and the frame 60 are provided at the split units 3 a-3 c as basicstructural elements.

The plural shutters 30 are respectively arranged in the verticaldirection for the split units 3 a-3 c. In the present embodiment, asshown in FIG. 3, four of the shutters are provided at the upper-levelunit 3 a, two of the shutters are provided at the middle-level unit 3 b,and five of the shutters are provided at the lower-level unit 3 c.Opening/closing of the upper-level, middle-level, lower-level openingportions 8 a, 8 b, 8 c are respectively controlled by these shutters.

Herein, the four shutters 30 provided at the upper-level unit 3 a areset as an upper-level shutter 30 a as shown in FIG. 1, whereinfirst-fourth upper-level shutters 30 a 1-30 a 4 are set in order fromthe top as shown in FIG. 3. Likewise, the two shutters 30 provided atthe middle-level unit 3 b are set as a middle-level shutter 30 b,wherein first, second middle-level shutters 30 b 1, 30 b 2 are set inorder from the top. The five shutters 30 provided at the lower-levelunit 3 c are set as a lower-level shutter 30 c, wherein first-fifthlower-level shutters 30 c 1-30 c 5 are set in order from the top.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, the upper-level shutter 30 a andthe lower-level shutter 30 c are positioned slightly in front of themiddle-level shutter 30 b in accordance with the above-describedstructure in which the respective peripheral edges 27 a, 27 c of theupper-level opening portion 8 a and the lower-level opening portion 8 cprotrude forward relative to the peripheral edge 27 b of themiddle-level opening portion 8 b (see FIG. 1).

While the opening portion 8 of the shroud 2 is configured, as describedabove, such that the outward edge 8 bo of the middle-level openingportion 8 b is positioned on the inward side, in the vehicle widthdirection, of the outward edges 8 ao, 8 co of the upper-level openingportion 8 a and the lower-level opening portion 8 c (see FIGS. 1 and 4),the shutters 30 are configured accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, suchthat an outward edge 30 bo of the middle-level shutter 30 b ispositioned on the inward side, in the vehicle width direction, ofoutward edges 30 ao, 30 co of the upper-level shutter 30 a and thelower-level shutter 30 c.

Accordingly, the respective shutters 30 a, 30 b, 30 c provided at theupper-level, middle-level, and lower-level units 3 a-3 c are configuredsuch that respective lengths, in the vehicle width direction, thereofare equal or slightly shorter than respective opening lengths, in thevehicle width direction, of the upper-level, middle-level, andlower-level opening portions 8 a, 8 b, 8 c (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

As shown in FIG. 3, the shutters 30 comprise shutter shafts 34 o whichprotrude outward from outward edges, in the vehicle width direction,thereof and shutter shafts 34 i which protrude inward from inward edges,in the vehicle width direction, thereof, and these shutter shafts 34 o,34 i extend coaxially in the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIGS.2 and 3, the frame 60 comprises outer frames 61 a, 61 b, 61 c whichpivotally support the outward-side shutter shafts 34 i of the shutters30 and center frames 63, 64 which pivotally support the inward-sideshutter shafts 34 i of the shutters 30. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5,the center frames 63, 64 comprise the first center frame 63 and thesecond frames 64, 64 which are arranged above and on right-and-left bothsides of the first center frame 63.

The first center frame 63 is provided as a common frame to all of thesplit units 3 a-3 c, and attached to a back face of the center stay 24such that the first center frame 63 matches the center stay 24 in thevehicle width direction at the central portion, in the vehicle widthdirection, of the shroud 2 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 8.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6A, the first center frame 63 extends inthe vertical direction between an upper end and a lower end of thecenter stay 24, and comprises a lower-side wide portion 63 w and anarrow portion 63 s which is positioned above the wide portion 63 w,corresponding to the center stay 24 (see FIG. 3).

As shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 8, an actuator housing portion 65 whichhouses the actuator 31 is provided at a lower side of the first centerframe 63. In the present embodiment, all of the shutters 30 provided atthe grille shutter unit 3 are directly or indirectly driven by thesingle actuator 31 for opening/closing of the shutters 30.

The actuator housing portion 65 is provided at a portion of the wideportion 63 w of the first center frame 63 which corresponds, in thevertical direction, to the lower-level opening portion 8 c of the shroud2, and the actuator 31 is housed in the actuator housing portion 65, sothat the actuator 31 is arranged at a back-face side of the lower partof the center stay 24 (see FIG. 8).

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6A and 8, the actuator housingportion 65 comprises a front wall portion 65 a which covers a lower partof the actuator 31 from the forward side at the first center frame 63, arear wall portion 65 b which covers a back-face side of an upper part ofthe actuator 31, and side wall portions 65 c, 65 c which cover bothsides, in the vehicle width direction, of the actuator 31 (see FIG. 5).

Herein, as shown in FIG. 12B which is the sectional view of the majorpart, taken along line G-G of FIG. 3, at an upper part of the actuator31 are provided motor shafts (drive shafts) 31 a, 31 a which protrudeoutward from its right-and-left both sides, and the actuator 31 is fixedto the first center frame 63 (see FIG. 8) such that the right-and-leftmotor shafts 31 a, 31 a match the shutter shaft 34 i of the lower-levelsecond shutter 30 c 2 (hereafter, referred to as “lower-level secondshutter shaft 340 i”) in the side view, that is, the motor shafts 31 a,31 a and the lower-level second shutter shaft 340 i are coaxial (seeFIG. 12B).

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2, 6A and 8, the above-described first centerframe 63 is integrally attached to the center stay 24 such that theupper-side width-directional center 21M of the shroud 2 (i.e., thecentral portion, in the width direction, of the shroud upper 21) and thelower-side width-directional center 22M of the shroud 2 (i.e., thecentral portion, in the width direction, of the shroud lower 22) areinterconnected by these two. Accordingly, the center stay 24 can securethe rigidity, in the vertical direction, of the shroud 2 together withthe first center frame 63. Further, since the lower part of the firstcenter frame 63 which houses the actuator 31 as a weight object isconfigured to be wide similarly to the center stay 24, the high rigiditycan be secured, and since the upper part of the first center frame 63 isintegrated with the center stay 24, its width can be made as narrow aspossible, so that the sufficiently large opening portion can be secured.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, plural penetration holes 63 a areformed at the first center frame 63 such that these are arranged in thevertical direction. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5and 6, the penetration holes 63 a comprise at least eight holes whichare formed at upper-and-lower parts provided along a central portion, inthe vehicle width direction, of the narrow portion 63 s of the firstcenter frame 63, parts which are slightly offset outward from thecentral portion, in the vehicle width direction, of the upper portion ofthe wide portion 63 w (upper-and-lower parts of the portioncorresponding to the middle-level opening portion 8 b), right-and-leftboth sides of a central portion (portion corresponding to an upper endof the lower-level opening portion 8 c), in the vertical direction, ofthe wide portion 63 w, and right-and-left both sides of a lower portion(portion corresponding to an lower portion of the lower-level openingportion 8 c) of the wide portion 63 w.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 8, screw insertion holes 24 a areformed at portions of the back face of the center stay 24 whichrespectively correspond to the penetration holes 63 a of the firstcenter frame 63 in the elevational view.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6A, tapping screws T are inserted into the screwinsertion holes 24 a and the penetration holes 63 a from the back-faceside, respectively, whereby a shutter support portion 66 i is configuredand the first center frame 63 is fixedly fastened to the center stay 24integrally.

The first center frame 63 is attached to the upper portion of the centerstay 24 which is formed integrally with the central portion, in thevehicle width direction, of the shroud upper 21 at an uppermost shuttersupport portion 66 ia (see FIGS. 6A and 8) of the plural (eight) shuttersupport portions 66 i.

That is, the above-described upper-side width-directional center 21M ofthe shroud 2 is a portion which corresponds to the central portion, inthe vehicle width direction, of the shroud upper 21 and the upperportion of the center stay 24 which includes the uppermost shuttersupport portion 66 ia (see FIGS. 2 and 6A).

Likewise, the first center frame 63 is attached to the lower portion ofthe center stay 24 which is formed integrally with the central portion,in the vehicle width direction, of the shroud lower 22 at a lowermostshutter support portion 66 ib (see FIG. 6A) of the plural (eight)shutter support portions 66 i.

That is, the above-described lower-side with-directional center 22M ofthe shroud 2 is a portion which corresponds to the central portion, inthe vehicle width direction, of the shroud lower 22 and the lowerportion of the center stay 24 which includes the lowermost shuttersupport portion 66 ib (see FIGS. 2 and 6A).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, at respective sides, in the verticaldirection, of the right-and-left both sides of the first center frame 63are provided shaft support portions 67 ia, 67 ib, 67 ic which pivotallysupport the respective shutter shafts 34 i which are provided at theinward side of the shutters 30 of the upper-level, middle-level, andlower-level split units 3 a-3 c.

Specifically, the shaft support portions 67 ia which pivotally supportthe shutter shafts 34 i which are provided at the respective inwardsides of a third upper-level shutter 30 a 3 and a fourth upper-levelshutter 30 a 4 are provided at upper-and-lower portions of the narrowportion 63 s of the first center frame 63.

Further, the shaft support portions 67 ib which pivotally support theshutter shafts 34 i which are provided at the respective inward sides ofthe middle-level shutters 30 b 1, 30 b 2 are provided at upper-and-lowerportions of the wide portion 63 w of the first center frame 63 whichcorrespond to the middle-level opening portion 8 b.

Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 12A which the sectional view of themajor part, taken along line F-F of FIG. 3, at upper-and-lower portionsof the wide portion 63 w of the first center frame 63 which correspondto the lower-level opening portion 8 c are provided the shaft supportportions 67 ic which pivotally support the shutter shafts 34 i which areprovided at the respective inward sides of the lower-level shutters 30 c1, 30 c 3-30 c 5, except the lower-level second shitter 30 c 2.

Herein, as described above, the lower-level second shutter shaft 340 iis not pivotally supported by the first center frame 63, and directlyconnected to the motor shaft 31 a which protrudes from the actuator 31provided at the first center frame 63 (see FIG. 12B), whereby thelower-level second shutter shaft 340 i is pivotally supported at themotor shaft 31 a on the right-and-left both sides. That is, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 5, the shaft support portion 67 ic which pivotally supportsthe lower-level second shutter shaft 340 i is not provided at respectiveportions of right-and-left side wall portions of the first center frame63 which correspond to the lower-level second shutter shaft 340 i, and alarge-diameter penetration hole 63 b which has a larger diameter thanthe lower-level second shutter shaft 340 i is provided so that thelower-level second shutter shaft 340 i can be allowed to pass throughthis hole 63 b and connected to the motor shaft 31 a (see FIGS. 3, 5 and12B).

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the second center frames 64 are arrangedon the both sides, in the vehicle width direction, of the latch housingportion 9, independently (separately) from the first center frame 63, asa part of the upper-level unit 3 a. Each second center frame 64 isprovided with shaft support portions 67 ia which pivotally support theshutter shafts 34 i respectively provided at the inward side, in thevehicle width direction, of the upper-level first shutter 3 a 1 and theupper-level second shutter 3 a 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 11, the above-described second center frame64 is fixedly fastened from the back-face side of the shroud 2 similarlyto the first center frame 63.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, a penetration hole 64 a is formed atthe second center frame 64, and a screw penetration (through) hole 22 ais formed at a portion of the shroud 2 which corresponds to thepenetration hole 64 a of the second center frame 64.

The shutter support portion 66 i is constituted by inserting the tappingscrew T into the screw insertion hole 22 a and the penetration hole 64 afrom the back-face side, and the second center frame 64 is fixedlyfastened to the shroud 2 integrally.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer frames 61 a, 61 b, 61 c comprisethe upper-level outer frames 61 a, the middle-level outer frames 61 b,and the lower-level outer frames 61 c which are respectively arranged onthe right-and-left both sides, which correspond to the upper-level unit3 a, the middle-level unit 3 b, and the lower-level unit 3 c.

As shown in FIG. 3, shaft support portions 67 oa which pivotally supportthe shutter shafts 34 o provided at the outward side, in the vehiclewidth direction, of the upper-level shutters 30 a 1-30 a 4 are providedthe upper-and-lower portions of the upper-level outer frames 61 a.

As shown in the same figure, shaft support portions 67 ob whichpivotally support the shutter shafts 34 o provided at the outward side,in the vehicle width direction, of the middle-level shutters 30 b 1, 30b 2 are provided the upper-and-lower portions of the middle-level outerframes 61 b. Further, shaft support portions 67 oc which pivotallysupport the shutter shafts 34 o provided at the outward side, in thevehicle width direction, of the lower-level shutters 30 c 1-30 c 5 areprovided the upper-and-lower portions of the lower-level outer frames 61c.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the above-described outer frames 61 a, 61 b,61 c are fixedly fastened from the back-face side of the shroud 2,similarly to the first and second center frames 63, 64.

Specifically, penetration holes 61 d are formed at respectiveupper-and-lower portions of the upper-level and lower-level outer frames61 a, 61 c and a middle portion, in the vertical direction, of themiddle-level outer frame 61 b (see FIG. 3). Further, as shown in FIG.11, screw penetration holes 22 b are formed at portions of the shroudwhich correspond to the above-described penetration holes 61 d. Herein,only the screw penetration hole 22 b which corresponds to the uppermostpenetration hole 61 d is illustrated in FIG. 11.

Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 11, the tapping screws T are insertedinto the screw penetration holes 22 b and the penetration holes 61 dfrom the back-face side, whereby a shutter support portion 66 o isconstituted, and the upper-level, middle-level, and lower-level outerframes 61 a, 61 b, 61 c are fixedly fastened to the shroud 2 from theback-face side integrally.

Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 7, the above-described bracket 6(see FIGS. 4 and 7) is attached to the bracket attaching-face portion 26such that it extends in the vertical direction between the upper-levelouter frame 61 a (see FIG. 2) and the lower-level outer frame 61 c (seethe same figure).

That is, the upper-side fastening portion 26 c where the bracket 6 isfastened to the bracket attaching-face portion 26 is positioned suchthat it matches the upper-level outer frame 61 a in the verticaldirection, and the lower-side fastening portion 26 c is provided suchthat it matches (overlaps) the down-level outer frame 61 c in thevertical direction (see the same figure).

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 11, the upper-most shutter supportportion 66 o is provided such that it substantially matches theboxy-shaped portion 10 and the mount device 5 in the vertical direction.In other words, the upper-most shutter support portion 66 o is providedat a portion which substantially horizontally extends inward from theinward-side side wall portion 13 i of the boxy-shaped portion 10 up to aposition in front of the outward edge 8 ao of the upper-level openingportion 8 a (see FIG. 11).

Subsequently, the swing link 70 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2,3, 5 and 6A, the swing link 70 comprises a pair of right-and-left firstswing links 71, 71 which are provided at right-and-left both sidesthereof and a pair of right-and-left second swing links 74, 74 which areprovided at right-and-left and upward sides of the grille shutter unit 3(see FIGS. 2 and 3).

As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 12A and 12B, the first swing links 71 arearranged between the plural shutters 30 and the first center frame 63 inthe vehicle width direction on the right-and-left both sides, andpositioned on the back-face side relative to the shutter shafts 34 i,340 i.

The pair of right-and-left first swing links 71, 71 are configured, as apart of a center swing link unit 75, in a crank shape along a shape ofthe right-and-left side portions of the first center frame 63 comprisingthe narrow portion 63 s and the wide portion 63 w such that the firstswing links 71, 71 are substantially symmetrical (see FIGS. 3, 5 and6A).

That is, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 6A, 8 and 12, the center swing linkunit 75 comprises the pair of right-and-left first swing links 71, 71and plural back-face-side connection portions 72 (see FIG. 6A) whichconnect upper-and-lower portions of the first swing links 71, 71 in thevehicle width direction on the back-face side of the first center frame63, which are formed integrally.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 6A, 6B, 12A, 12B, 13A and 13B, plural swing shafts73 i which protrude outward, in the vehicle width direction, fromrespective outward faces, in the vehicle width direction, of the pair ofright-and-left first swing links 71, 71 (see FIG. 5) are pivotallyattached to the first swing links 71, 71. These swing shafts 73 i areprovided in the vertical direction such that these shafts 73 icorrespond to the shutters 30 which are provided in the verticaldirection on the outward sides, in the vehicle width direction, of thefirst swing links 71. The swing shafts 73 i are pivotally supported atpositions of the inward end faces, in the vehicle width direction, ofthe shutters 30 which are offset from the shutter shafts 34 i (including340 i) (see FIGS. 13A, 13B).

Herein, as shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 13A and 13B, the swing shaft 73 iwhich is pivotally supported at the lower-level second shutter 30 c 2 isset as a lower-level second swing shaft 73 ia. Since the lower-levelsecond shutter shaft 340 i is directly connected to the motor shaft 31 aas described above (see FIG. 12B), when the actuator 31 is driven, thedriving force of the actuator 31 is transmitted directly to thelower-level second shutter 30 c 2, not by way of the first swing link71, so that the lower-level second shutter 30 c 2 is driven (swung) foropening/closing.

The lower-level second swing shaft 73 ia is swung around the lower-levelsecond swing shaft 73 ia in accordance with the driving of thelower-level second shutter 30 c 2. Since the first swing link 71 isswung in the vertical direction in accordance with the swing of thelower-level second swing shaft 73 ia, the other swing shafts 73 i thanthe lower-level second swing 73 ia which are pivotally supported at thefirst swing link 71 are swung.

That is, the other shutters 30 (30 a 3, 30 a 4, 30 b 1, 30 b 2, 30 c 1,30 c 3-30 c 5) than the lower-level second shutter 30 c 2 which arepivotally supported at the first center frame 63 can be swung as well.

For example, the opening/closing of the lower-level opening portion 8 cby the shutters 30 will be described particularly. In a state where thelower-level shutters 30 c are open as shown in FIG. 13A, the first swinglink 71 is positioned downward as shown in FIG. 14A, and, for example,when the motor shaft 31 a is rotated counterclockwise by 90 degrees bydriving of the actuator 31 from this open state as shown in FIG. 14B(see an arrow d2 in FIG. 14B), the lower-level second shutter 30 c 2 isrotated counterclockwise by 90 degrees around the lower-level secondshutter shaft 340 i together with the lower-level second swing shaft 73ia (see the arrow d2 in FIG. 13B).

Thus, the lower-level second shutter 30 c 2 is in the open state asshown in FIG. 13B. At the same time, the first swing link 71 is movedupward in accordance with the above-described rotation of thelower-level second swing shaft 73 ia as shown in FIG. 14B (see an arrowdu in FIG. 14B). According to this upward move, the respective swingshafts 73 i of the other lower-level shutters 30 c 1, 30 c 3-30 c 5 thanthe lower-level second shutter shaft 340 i are rotated counterclockwiseby 90 degrees (see arrows d1, d3-d5 in FIG. 14B). Consequently, thelower-level shutters 30 c 1, 30 c 3-30 c 5 are in a closed state (seearrows d1, d3-d5 in FIG. 13B).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second swing links 74 are arranged at theright-and-left both-side upper-level units 3 a between the upper-levelshutters 30 a and the upper-level outer frames 61 a, and arranged on theback-face side relative to the outward-side shutter shafts 34 o whichare respectively provided at the upper-level shutters 30 a.

The right-and-left both-side second swing links 74, 74 are integrallyprovided with swing shafts 73 o which protrude inward, in the vehiclewidth direction, from their inward end faces (see FIG. 2), and the swingshafts 73 are provided in the vertical direction so as to correspond tothe upper-level unit 30 a. That is, the swing shafts 73 o are attachedto the outward end faces, in the vehicle width direction, of theshutters 30 such that the swing shafts 73 o are offset from the shuttershafts 34 o (see FIG. 3) in the vehicle side view, similarly to theabove-described swing shafts 73 i.

Herein, in the upper-level unit 3 a, when the actuator 31 is driven, theupper-level third shutter 30 a 3 and the upper-level fourth shutter 30 a4 are swung directly in accordance with the swinging of the first swinglink 71, whereas the upper-level first shutter 30 a 1 and theupper-level second shutter 30 a 2 are not swung directly because theselinks 30 a 1, 30 a 2 are not directly connected to the first swing link71.

However, since the upper-level first shutter 30 a 1 and the upper-levelsecond shutter 30 a 2 are connected to the upper-level third shutter 30a 3 and the upper-level fourth shutter 30 a 4 by way of the second swinglink 74, the upper-level first shutter 30 a 1 and the upper-level secondshutter 30 a 2 can be also swung by way of the second swing links 74 inaccordance with the swinging of the upper-level third shutter 30 a 3 andthe upper-level fourth shutter 30 a 4.

The present invention is the grille shutter attaching structure 1 of theautomotive vehicle, in which the grille shutter unit 3 which is providedwith the plural shutters 30 extending in the vehicle width direction isattached to the frame-shaped shroud 2, comprising the center stay 24which is provided to extend in the vertical direction and connect thecentral portion, in the width direction, of the shroud upper 21 (theshroud-upper width center) and the central portion, in the widthdirection, of the shroud lower 22 (the shroud-lower width center) (seeFIGS. 1 and 8), wherein the grille shutter unit 3 is attached to theback-face side of the shroud 2, and the driving actuator 31 foropening/closing the shutters 30 is arranged at the back-face side of thecenter stay 24 (see FIGS. 3 and 8).

According to the present structure, since the actuator 31 is arranged atthe center stay 24 which is positioned at the central portion, in thevehicle width direction, of the grille shutter unit 3 in the elevationview, the right-and-left both-side shutters 30 relative to the centerstay 24 can be opened or closed smoothly, and the actuator 31 can bearranged by utilizing a dead space which is created at the back-faceside of the center stay 24, thereby improving the layout performance.

Moreover, since the shutters 30 can be opened/closed with an appropriatebalance because of the central arrangement of the actuator 31 asdescribed above, compared to a case where the actuator is arranged atboth sides, in the vehicle width direction, of the shroud 2 or at eitherone of the shroud sides 23, it can be prevented that the actuator 31 hasa large volume or the swing link 70 becomes large-sized and complex, sothat the layout performance can be further improved.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the center stay 24 isconfigured such that its lower part is wider than its upper part (seeFIG. 1), and the actuator 31 is arranged at the back-face side of thelower part of the center stay 24 (see FIGS. 3, 5 and 8).

According to this structure, the position of the gravity center of thegrille shutter unit 3 which comprises the actuator 31 can be properlylowered, improving the rigidity of the connection portion of the centralportion, in the width direction, of the shroud lower 22 and the centerstay 24.

Specifically, since the center stay 24 is configured such that its lowerpart is wider than its upper part, the rigidity of the connectionportion of the central portion, in the width direction, of the shroudlower 22 and the center stay 24.

Further, since the actuator 31 is arranged at the portion (i.e., thefirst center frame 63) positioned on the side of the grille shutter unit3 which is positioned on the back-face side of the lower part of thecenter stay 24, in addition to the above-described wide configuration ofthe lower part of the center stay 24, the position of the gravity centerof the grille shutter unit 3 can be lowered.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the first center frame 63which is provided at the grille shutter unit 3 is attached to theback-face side of the center stay 24 along the center stay 24 (see FIGS.2, 6A and 8), the arrangement part of the actuator 31, in the verticaldirection, of the first center frame 63 where the actuator 31 isarranged is configured to be wider than the other part of the firstcenter frame 63 (see FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 8), and the actuator housingportion 65 where the actuator 31 is housed is formed at the arrangementpart of the actuator 31 (see FIGS. 3, 5 and 8).

According to this structure, since the arrangement parts, in thevertical direction, of the actuator 31 of the center frames 63, 64 areconfigured to be wide according to the width of the center stay 24, theactuator housing portion 65 where the actuator 31 is housed can beproperly formed at the arrangement part of the actuator 31.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the first swing link 71 ofthe swing link 70 (71, 74) which transmits the driving force of theactuator 31 to the shutters 30 is arranged along the first center frame63 (see FIGS. 3, 5 and 6A).

According to this structure, since the first swing link 71 is arrangedat the center, in the vehicle width direction, of the grille shutterunit 3 (because of so-called center arrangement) together with theactuator 31, it can be prevented that the first swing link 71 becomescomplex or large-sized, and also the driving force of the actuator 31can be efficiently transmitted to the shutters 30 by way of the firstswing link 71 which is arranged closely to the actuator 31.

According to this structure, in the grille shutter unit 3 in which theright-side split units 3 a, 3 b, 3 c and the left-side split units 3 a,3 b, 3 c are provided as the side unit which is split and arranged onthe right-and-left sides of the center frames 63, 64, the actuator 31can drive (open/close) the shutters 30 which are provided at theright-side split units 3 a, 3 b, 3 c and the left-side split units 3 a,3 b, 3 c by the first center frame 63 (and the second center frame 64)from the central side, in the vehicle width direction, of the grilleshutter unit 3 with the appropriate balance.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the grille shutter unit 3 isprovided with the right-side split units 3 a, 3 b, 3 c and the left-sidesplit units 3 a, 3 b, 3 c as the side unit which is split and arrangedon the right-and-left sides of the center frame 63 (and the secondcenter frame 64) (see FIGS. 1-3 and 5), the first swig links 71, 71 areprovided at the end portions of the right-side split units 3 a, 3 b, 3 cand the left-side split units 3 a, 3 b, 3 c which are positioned on theside of the first center frame 63 (see FIGS. 2, 6A and 6B), and theright-and-left first swing links 71, 71 are interconnected on theback-face side of the first center frame 63 (see FIGS. 3, 4, 6A and 8).

Since the driving force of the actuator 31 can be transmitted to theshutters 30 provided at the right-and-left split units 3 a, 3 b, 3 c incooperation with the right-and-left first swing links 71, 71, inaddition to the rigidity improvement of the first swing link 71, byinterconnecting the right-and-left first swing links 71, 71 by theback-face-side connection portion 72 on the back-face side of the firstcenter frame 63 as described above, the opening/closing driving of theshutters 30 can be properly smooth, compared to a case, for example,where the swing link is configured such that a right-side one and aleft-side one are provided independently from each other and the drivingforce of the actuator 31 is transmitted to the shutters 30 which areprovided at the right-and-left split units 3 a, 3 b, 3 c by way of theabove-described independently-provided right-and-left swing links.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the latch housing portion 9where the latch (not illustrated) of the bonnet is housed is provided atthe central portion, in the width direction, of the shroud upper 21 suchthat the latch housing portion 9 protrudes toward the upper-levelopening portion 8 a (see FIGS. 1 and 2), the first upper-level shutter30 ai and the second upper-level shutter 30 a 2 which are not drivendirectly by the first swing links 71 are provided on the right-and-leftboth sides of the latch housing portion 9 (see FIGS. 1-3 and 5), and thesecond swing links 74 which are different from the first swing links 71are provided on the outward side, in the vehicle width direction, of thefirst upper-level shutter 30 ai and the second upper-level shutter 30 a2 so as to drive these shutters 30 a 1, 30 a 2 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

According to this structure, even in the structure where the firstupper-level shutter 30 ai and the second upper-level shutter 30 a 2which are arranged on the right-and-left both sides of the latch housingportion 9 in accordance with forming the latch housing portion 9 are notdriven directly by the first swing links 71, these shutters 30 a 1, 30 a2 can be smoothly driven by the second swing links 74.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the first center frame 63 isattached such that the first center frame 63 connects the centralportion, in the width direction, of the shroud upper 21 (the upper-sidewidth-directional center 21M of the shroud 2) and the central portion,in the width direction, of the shroud lower 22 (the lower-sidewidth-directional center 22M of the shroud 2), being integrated with thecenter stay 24.

According to this structure, the center stay 24 can secure the rigidity,in the vertical direction, of the shroud 2 together with the firstcenter frame 63. Further, since the lower part of the first center frame63 which houses the actuator 31 as a weight object is configured to bewide similarly to the center stay 24, the high rigidity can be secured,and since the upper part of the first center frame 63 is integrated withthe center stay 24, its width can be made as narrow as possible, so thatthe sufficiently large opening portion can be secured.

Further, since the grille shutter attaching structure 1 of theautomotive vehicle of the present embodiment adopts a center arrangementof the actuator 31 where the actuator 31 is arranged at the center, inthe vehicle width direction, of the grille shutter unit 3, the firstupper-level shutters 30 a 1 and the second upper-level shutters 30 a 2which are arranged on the right-and-left both sides and the second swinglinks 74, 74 which are provided at the outward side, in the vehiclewidth direction, of the shutters 30 a 1, 30 a 2 can be driven with theappropriate balance.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment,but any other various embodiments are applicable. For example, while theshutter shafts 34 i, 34 o are provided on the side of the shutters 30and the frames 60 (61 a, 61 b, 61 c, 63, 64) are pivotally supported bythe shutter shafts 34 i, 34 o in the above-described embodiment, theseshutter shafts 34 i, 34 o may be provided on the side of the frames 60(61 a, 61 b, 61 c, 63, 64) and the shutters 30 may be pivotallysupported by the shutter shafts 34 i, 34 o, for example.

Moreover, while the swing shafts 73 i, 73 o are provided on the side ofthe first and second swing links 71, 74 and the shutters 30 arepivotally supported by the swing shafts 73 i, 73 o in theabove-described embodiment, these swing shafts 73 i, 73 o may beprovided on the side of the shutters 30 and the first and second swinglinks 71, 74 may be pivotally supported by the swing shafts 73 i, 73 o,for example.

What is claimed is:
 1. A grille shutter attaching structure of anautomotive vehicle, comprising: a frame-shaped shroud; a grille shutterunit provided with plural shutters extending in a vehicle widthdirection; and a center stay provided to extend in a vertical directionand connect a central portion, in a width direction, of a shroud upperof the shroud and a central portion, in the width direction, of a shroudlower of the shroud, wherein said grille shutter unit is attached to aback-face side of said shroud, and a driving actuator foropening/closing said shutters is arranged at a back-face side of saidcenter stay of said grille shutter unit.
 2. The grille shutter attachingstructure of the automotive vehicle of claim 1, wherein said center stayis configured such that a lower part thereof is wider than an upper partthereof, and said driving actuator is arranged at a back-face side ofthe lower part of the center stay.
 3. The grille shutter attachingstructure of the automotive vehicle of claim 2, wherein a center framewhich is provided at said grille shutter unit is attached to theback-face side of said center stay along the center stay, an actuatorarrangement part, in the vertical direction, of said center frame wheresaid driving actuator is arranged is configured to be wider than theother part of the center frame, and an actuator housing portion wherethe driving actuator is housed is formed at said actuator arrangementpart.
 4. The grille shutter attaching structure of the automotivevehicle of claim 3, wherein a driving link which transmits a drivingforce of said driving actuator to said shutters is arranged along saidcenter frame.
 5. The grille shutter attaching structure of theautomotive vehicle of claim 4, wherein said grille shutter unit isprovided with right-and-left split side units which are provided onright-and-left both sides of said center frame, said driving linkcomprises right-and-left driving links which are provided at respectiveend portions of said right-and-left split side units which arepositioned on a center-frame side in the vehicle width direction, andsaid right-and-left driving links are interconnected on a back-face sideof the center frame.
 6. The grille shutter attaching structure of theautomotive vehicle of claim 4, wherein a latch housing portion where alatch of a bonnet is housed is provided at said central portion, in thewidth direction, of the shroud upper such that the latch housing portionprotrudes toward an opening portion which is formed at an inside, in anelevational view, of said frame-shaped shroud, right-and-left indirectswing shutters which are not driven directly by said driving link areprovided on right-and-left both sides of said latch housing portion, anda second driving link which is different from said driving link isprovided on an outward side, in the vehicle width direction, of saidindirect swing shutters so as to drive the indirect swing shutters. 7.The grille shutter attaching structure of the automotive vehicle ofclaim 3, wherein said center frame is attached such that the centerframe connects the central portion, in the width direction, of saidshroud upper and the central portion, in the width direction, of saidshroud lower, being configured to be integrated with said center stay.